Deangelo

When you realize Emma probably can’t shoot a gun because Kieran taught her

Peter Pettigrew

I don’t think anyone likes Peter Pettigrew. People have gotten Dark Mark tattoos and have found compassion for Bellatrix and Voldemort, but no one likes Peter Pettigrew. A non-major character, but one of the most crucial in the overall story (factor in ending first and second Wizard Wars, killed both of Harry’s chances at a good family), Peter Pettigrew reminds us a lot of friendship and moral codes that some people forget. I don’t know if he even deserves a picture

“ The road to hell is paved with good intentions”--NO, that is not it, but it is similar, that “ The safest road to hell is the gradual one - the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts ” (C. S. Lewis)

Once you make one concession, the next one is easier; then all of the sudden the decisions you are considering are miles away from any you would have considered if thrown in that first concession, but they were all only one small step over from your last act. 

It is part of the Christian faith that if you accept Jesus into your life, even in your final moments, that you will be brought to heaven upon death. This is crap, and if it’s real, it should and still would be complete crap. You should not be judged just by your final moments, whether it be good or bad, out of remorse or desperation. 

Something that was lightly touched on throughout the series, is that people change. We see this with Snape, Malfoy, Dudley, Neville and Peter Pettigrew, Ron and others I’m sure (like James, supposedly). Snape and Malfoy were both put into Slytherin, but with very different outcomes (and beginnings). Snape was already a bit angry at the world, but with Lily as a friend and had he not been put into Slytherin in the first place, he may very well have not become a Death Eater. That’s who he spent his time with, other Slytherins; so the chances were higher. They say you are a combination of the 5 people you spend the most time with, and here I think that shows. Malfoy, on the other hand, came to Hogwarts excited and thrilled when he ended up with his friends. But in reality, 1st year Malfoy is just a spoiled brat, and not evil as he would need to be a true Death Eater (see Peter Pettigrew’s death). I don’t think that Malfoy would have realized he wasn’t evil if he hadn’t been put into Slytherin or with Peter Pettigrew, who wound up friends with those in his house (seriously, what else was there to tie them together?); he overtime showed he wasn’t brave, kind, smart or strong. Maybe the houses don’t choose who fits them most, but what they need the most, whether they rise above (Malfoy and James) or fail the challenges presented (Severus and Peter Pettigrew). 

As stated earlier while our final moments do not excuse us, they may show our true selves. I don’t know how much Peter Pettigrew changed as we never really knew him, and, I don’t think he ever really did change. I see this most when he turns back into a RAT after Lupin starts to transform at the end of the third year. It wasn’t a cowardly exit or a confused exit, it was an evil exit. He was escaping them, hahaha. But at the same time, he couldn’t strangle Harry, so maybe there was a young old part of him that knew what was right and had regrets. But I suspect it’s more because he’s a little shit. 

So, because only about 0.05 of generation Z is actually eligible to vote...I can’t get those numbers. But, grouping together the younger half of millennials and those eligible with generation Z 

Official numbers still aren’t available, but multiple records have been stating that the turnout is already more than seen before--especially with early voting. While the youngest eligible voter turn-out was still lower when compared to most others (as it is with EVERY generation) I can’t imagine someone denying the use of social media, door-to-door outreach and campaign done by the youth--even those not eligible to vote for years to come contributed to the increase: by making sure people easily knew how to register, by the summer campaigns, by the advertisements on tv or by celebrities and those just opening discussions with those who had the ability to vote. 

So for the average 10,805 babies born yesterday, your generation is already making the world a better place for you

Basically every Millennial owes it to every underage Gen Z to get out there and vote. In the absence of voting power, we are seeing these incredible Gen Z activists advocating for their own safety. They shouldn’t have to. These are children being forced to fight for their lives, and we owe them so much better. 

Millennials have a huge amount of legislative power. Millennials make up more than 30% of those eligible for vote. 

Millennials own 30+% of national voting power.

We outnumber the boomers. 

Millennials outnumber boomers.

But traditionally we vote at lower rates. That statistic is changing, and it needs to change faster. 

At this point I think we can all agree, millennials are morally obligated to use their voting power to protect a younger generation that has, like us, been failed and abused by the boomers. Get out there, register, vote, speak. Do not fail Gen Z the way our elders failed us. 

A Pen of Chocolate and Exhaustion (not bad)

Your YA novel title is:

A (object closest to you on the left) of (last thing you spent money on) and (your current emotion)

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Into Thin Air

I’m still in the process of reading this book for the first time, but as I slowly read thru their final days on the Summit, I know this book will be with me forever. Not even knowing the events beforehand Jon Krakauer’s words will break you; you are only able to remove yourself so much as he highlights impending consequences of what were the best-made decisions. Little, inconsequential choices and feelings in crucial moments that were unknown to him at the time turn out to be the worst of his life, you can feel them now—you can feel his sorrow, guilt and pain.

His words are intensified by quotes included by other climbers and authors about climbing, about life and about death. I have added his other works onto my list, as never before have I been able to see a world so clearly, been in the place of someone so closely, feeling their heart within mine. He is an amazing writer, for lack of more deserving words and praise, and I wish peace upon all those in his, and similar stories.

Dobby, the Great House Elf

In the beginning, the middle, and I’m sure to his end, had his final moments not been so serious and painful, Dobby could easily be considered very annoying. He wouldn’t listen and didn’t fully think things thru, making things a lot harder and sometimes more dangerous for Harry. But while I would consider him an adult, just with all the pitfalls of hanging out with a toddler, Dobby was fantastic and a great role model for those who are trying to accept themselves.

While at first Dobby loves Harry for being the boy who lived, his admiration for Harry grows more overtime for the simplicity of Harry treating him as an equal, something that Dobby didn’t experience in his life before and wouldn’t experience much in his lifetime at all. Overtime Dobby begins to love and appreciate himself more, becoming someone who stands up to bullies and is always there for his friends but he shows how rough of a battle it is. While he has always wanted his freedom, he wasn’t able to take the 10 galleons a week and weekends off provided by Dumbledore for wages thinking it to be too much, and wasn’t able to easily tell Harry about Umbridge considering she was his temporary master. While we can easily see Dobby’s friendship, loyalty, and equality with Harry Potter, it is the struggle to change and be yourself that is a lesson less shown or seen that we can grasp with Dobby as while Hermione and Luna were always confident with their intelligence and didn’t care for others, Dobby knew who he was and was proud but still struggled, something that is much more common, especially for young kids and teenagers.

Dobby knew what he was worth, was kind and giving, and did what was right—even against his friends. He struggled with his place in the world but knew to really only care about the opinions of those who matter

Lucius and Narcissa

While I cannot say I like these two, I don’t mind them as much as one would think. Partially, because both really have no substance to dislike; yes, they are cruel, greedy, elitist, and quite a few horrible other things but really all they are, is the greatest example of snowflakes in the wizarding world

“wah.....some person with no history of magic is more skilled than me”

“wah....those with power are trying to help those without”

“wah....people don’t think my son is as great as I think”

on and on and on 

Regardless of their complete lack of character and spine, there were a few things I enjoyed. For starters, they really were perfect for each other. True, they needed to be assisted in every aspect of their lives, but they both fawned of their son in separate ways, both held strong beliefs with no interest in taking any related action (my belief about Lucius joining the Death Eaters was because it was the cool thing to do at the time), and both were just blinded by ego and wealth. They are just a morally gross version of Arthur and Molly, they support each other completely in being boringly horrible. 

Related to their lack of character, I do enjoy snowflake Lucius as he loses his place in the world and the realistic outcomes he and Peter Pettigrew experience by just being followers, but there are different levels with Narcissa. In a small level, it is funny to see how similar she is to everyone else as, as a side character, we see typical family relationships as she has with her sister, husband and son. And it’s just nice to get that background and reminder. 

More telling, unlike Lucius who I think was not only too stupid to see why Voldermort brought Draco into the Death Eaters but also would gladly use Draco just to gain status, I have no doubt that Narcissa would sacrifice herself for her son just as Lily had. And I know I’m right because she already did. Similar to Draco’s questions of morality and evil, while she may have had more alignment with the beliefs of the Death Eaters she had more strength than Draco in knowing and fighting for what truly was most important to her. Considering both put each other over the stupidity of murdering muggles and Death Eaters it’s upsetting, annoying and that dumb-poetic of just TALK to each other and they really could have avoided all this mess. Leave Lucius behind, he’s the weakest link and really it didn’t seem that either would be too heartbroken over it. I mean you guys are already weak, why not just be weak for the good guys. But whatever. 

I do enjoy these two, mostly just for a laugh, but also for the reminder that there is no black and white, and that we all need to remember to look past the surface

Bibliothek

Switzerland isn’t as neutral as portrayed, ranking high in various records related to education, intelligence, happiness and diversity. While not definitive, the online access and draw of its libraries may symbolize how these institutions wish to encourage development in various education and entertainment avenues. Bibliothek Chur is extremely automated and while having strict rules and either monthly or yearly patronage costs is overall reasonable, especially considering the service and information provided. Similarly, Konzier bibliotheken has fewer hours but boasts an online presence and has events focused on individual community issues and larger intersectional issues.

The prime example of course is The Swiss National Library. With a newsletter release every four to six weeks, you may also take guided tours and speak with workers online or in person if you need help understanding or accessing the archives you are trying to work towards. Within the past ten years, they have even had a focus on both the “digital future” of libraries and books, while holding onto the history of printed bookts

Focused on more than just literary documentation, the Swiss National Library also promotes the importance images and sound documents as important artifacts of their shared history in addition to the smaller archives of each canton (individual states) and different exhibits that occur at the libraries.

Meishu, Leider, Ledare

Today, many in the US celebrate a world of chocolate, candies and fantasy. While books tells us the stories of ourselves, our community, those we don’t know and those we will never meet the public spaces we can enjoy these stories, explore and grow. But while many of these stories are true and these public spaces not all in libraries, many of the libraries would be empty if existing at all if not for...authors. 

November 1st is National Author Day, Gracia!

Remus Lupin

Unlike Hagrid, Lupin, had a very hard time getting over eveything that happened to him, which is part of why I’m always very sad when I think of him. Similar to Harry and Hagrid, Lupin’s life started out with difficulty and made him more of an outcast than either, getting bitten by a werewolf. 

Going to Hogwarts, he made good, true friends, but had to keep this secret from them; when he tells them, they accept him but then he deals with the guilt of betraying Albus and allowing his friends to break every benefit and precaution that allowed him to come to Hogwarts, along with the reputation and status of the school if anyone else found out. Then the First Wizarding War came but during that time his friends got married and had a child and the war only ended with the murder of his friends, the orphanage of their son, and the betrayal of another. 

The majority of Lupin’s life was between the two Wizarding Wars, when he was all alone. For over 10 years Lupin believed that one of his best friends, had betrayed not only his friends, but for power and out of hate, while he was left all alone. While the truth was similar, considering the bond Sirius and James had, and the possibility that they knew Peter wasn’t always at their level, there was a small reprieve when Lupin learned the truth. But again, the return of his friend lasts only two years before he is murdered and in that time the Second Wizarding War had begun. Again overcome with loss, loneliness and guilt, he holds himself back from love and happiness until he accepts, continues to feel guilt and shame when his child is born and soon after he and his wife are murdered.

There are many things that were so great about Lupin, he was honest, a good man, a good father, great friend and teacher. He was strong, brave, compassionate; he is a man who deserved and should have had it all but whose life was plagued, and spirit his overshadowed by ridiculous judgement and personal grief. Today is Trans Day of Visibility, a day dedicated to celebration of one’s true self and highlighting the cruelty and misguided hated those who are Trans receive. When I speak of Hagrid, I speak of how he was able to overcome his misfortunes, but Lupin was not; this, is not on Lupin. He should have had it all, he deserved to have an amazing life but was never given the opportunity to truly shine or love himself. It was not planned that I’d write about Lupin on Trans Day of Visibility, but the message I would say about both are linked.

Do Good, Be Good. While we can learn so much from Lupin, what the world needs to understand is how much they miss out on by judgement, prejudice, hate and fear. Bullying and discrimination do not bring peace, safety or justice, but they do put people at pause, holding back so much from the world and stealing from us all true love, prosperity and happiness.